Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to you all!

Ok, I'm getting in a bit early, but as I won't be around for the next few weeks I thought I'd post to my blog early (we're off to Thailand for a bit of R&R and sunshine .... something that's been sorely lacking in our part of the world lately!)

To celebrate, I have a new bear which will be available shortly - introducing Bailey: a mischievous bundle of cheek who is ready to celebrate Halloween. Already decked out ready to 'trick or treat' his way into your heart. I'll be posting him for sale on my website once I get back, so keep an eye out for him if he tickles your fancy.






It's late here now ... I'd better go pack those suitcases!

Life Lesson ... Update

Just a quick update on the new Marbles Mark II ... she (not he as was her predecessor)has fitted in quite nicely ... has a lovely temperament and tolerates a lot of handling and carrying around by her new mummy as you can see!



My daughter Kel called me today absolutely distraught. Seems like our granddaughter Mikael's little bunny rabbit Marbles had been bitten by a spider and died just as Kel got him to the vet!

My youngest daughter Nikki had only just bought Marbles a couple of weeks ago for Mikaela's 2nd birthday next Tuesday, so it was a real shock to all of us.

Anyway, think it will all end well. As Mikaela was asking where Marbles was, the little family held a funeral for him this afternoon so Mikaela understood (well, sort of ...) that Marbles got sick and went to heaven.

And, as all happy endings go, Aunty Nikki came to the rescue ... a visit to the pet store, and a new Marbles Mark II was delivered safe and sound to his new home, and into Mikaela's heart.

All is good with the world again .... aaahhhh

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Two days out from my pre-booked climb, and the nice warm spring weather we had been enjoying suddenly gave way to miserable, bleak and cold rainy days - great! Not the sort of weather I'd been hoping for, but I guess you have to live with the cards you've been dealt, so off up to Sydney we drove.

Thanks to our GPS lovingly nicknamed Lucy Loo, parking was found in amongst the skyscrapers in the middle of the Sydney CBD, and it was only a short walk through The Rocks down to the southern pylon of the bridge where we checked in.

A 30 minute brief and change into our climbing overalls, jackets, headsets and trusty safety harness saw us set off out into the inclement weather. It took us about an hour and a half to reach the summit and not even the weather could ruin the breathtaking 360 degree view of Sydney Harbour and surrounds. It was absolutely fantastic, and Pete our guide was amazing, explaining iconic landmarks and how the fireworks are set up on the top of the bridge for New Years Eve.

Here's us at the summit with a view of the Opera House and the city skyline behind:


By the time we had started heading across to the western side of the bridge and hour descent, the heavens opened up again, but it didn't dampen our spirits at all. We madly waved at the passengers on the P&O 'Pacific Dawn' as it moved gracefully underneath us on its way to exotic holiday places and the captain gave three long bursts on the funnels as she passed underneath. Awesome!

The descent went all too quickly and by the time we reached the bottom of the western arch, darkness had fallen and the city lights twinkled through the rain. Pete, of course was still telling us stories about the building of the bridge and stats (like how many stairs we had just climbed - 1339!!!!)

A fantastic experience, and one I would recommend highly to everyone!

Mikaela's first stay in hospital

My gorgeous little granddaughter Mikaela has just been diagnosed with pneumonia and has been hospitalised for a few days.

After suffering what seemed to be a slight cold the last couple of days, she just suddenly developed a nasty cough and listlessness. However, the wonderful staff at Shoalhaven Hospital soon took care of the necessary blood tests and x-rays, and a drip was set up to ensure Mikaela was hydrated quickly.

Today she has been sitting up and taking a few bites out of her Vegemite sandwiches and a few sips of juice and water.

Of course no visit to a hospital to visit your grandchild is complete without the obligatory gift bag, and off I went with a few crayons, a book for drawing in, and a new fairy doll. Just the ticket to a speedy recovery, as you can see from these photos!

Beyonce Concert - Awesome!

I drove up to Sydney on Friday afternoon with my two daughters to see Beyonce in concert, as a treat for their birthdays next month. We left the boys at home for a girlie's night out, and kicked off our night with an afternoon of retail therapy (always good for the soul, not necessarily the purse!)

What an amazing experience - I have been to a few big-name concerts before, but nothing like this! This woman has the most fantastic voice live, from the gutsy and raw sound of hip-hop right through to the angelic 'Ave Maria'. The show itself was something you just HAVE to experience if you ever get the chance!

Sydney's Acer Arena was packed to capacity, and the light show and big band sound was sensational. Her moving tribute to Michael Jackson and his music, followed by an on-stage appearance by a young chemotherapy patient brought the house to tears.

These pictures really don't do justice to such a fantastic and talented entertainer, but I hope you enjoy them!

Spring has Arrived!

Well, the weather's warming up nicely. My beautiful bush orchids have started flowering and I couldn't resist a few pics, as well as my azalea.















We had a few surprise visitors in our backyard this past weekend - a new family of magpies have started visiting, and their youngest seems to have taken a shine to our place ... no fear this one ... he just marches up and feeds out of our hands - we just got to watch that beak!!!!






Also spotted meandering over the grass was this blue-tongued lizard, an Australian native. How great to have our own resident bluey!

Spring Challenge Online Show

Ooooh ... how exciting! Only one more sleep until the Spring Challenge show!

I can't wait for spring - winter is always way too long for my liking (I'm a summer girl at heart). I always know when the warmer weather is just around the corner - my jasmine flowers and the divine scent wafts through my studio window. My miniature bush orchids also start budding and the first couple have just flowered. Will try to get some pictures to post here on the weekend, as they are just gorgeous and ever so tiny.

Anyways, thought I'd post a couple of pictures of my entry in the Spring Challenge - introducing La de Dah ... a gorgeous little girl who's all ready in her fancy attire for the Spring Racing Carnival - a spectacular annual event on the Melbourne and Sydney horse racing calendars, culminating in the 'race that stops a nation' ... The Melbourne Cup.





To see all the entrants in the Spring Challenge show, please visit www.teddybearsandcritters.com and follow the Spring Challenge link